Fire in Auburn burns homes, commercial buildings; evacuations ordered
A fire in Auburn, Calif., about 30 miles northeast of Sacramento, has burned through multiple homes and commercial buildings, officials say.
Evacuations are underway in the northern part of Auburn, said Mary Welna, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Officials did not have an exact count of how many homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed.
The fire, which began this afternoon in hot weather and low humidity, was wind-whipped and by this evening had burned more than 500 acres. It began near Highway 49 and Quartz Drive. It is 25% contained.
-- Rong-Gong Lin II
EDITOR'S PICKS:
I live nearby. Sounds like 20 - 30 homes have been lost.
Posted by: max naegele | August 30, 2009 at 08:10 PM
CalFire just down graded it to 275 acres with 50% contained
Posted by: Henry | August 30, 2009 at 08:35 PM
Hey, L.A. Times dummies. The words homes and buildings signify more than one.
Writing this -- "A fire ... has burned through multiple homes and commercial buildings..." stands as expression of idiocy.
Posted by: Al Wright | August 30, 2009 at 09:18 PM
It is now possible that the entire watershed area of the Big Tuujunga Canyon will be denuded by the Station Fire. Such a fire has not ever happened in recorded history. As well, the entire Little Tujunga watershed has already been denuded, plus that of the Pacoima Canyon watershed. The Mill Fire of autumn 1976 looks paltry by comparison. If an El Nino proves to develop after New Year's Day, as has already been predicted, whoa to the northeast San Fernando Valley. The Hansen Dam Flood Control Basin will be a disaster area. The improvements therein of recent years will be covered by muck and mire and one hopes that Hansen Dam itself will withstand the flood.
Posted by: John Crandell | August 30, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Is there a list of evacuated areas by zip code somewhere?
Posted by: Jason | August 31, 2009 at 08:57 AM